Indian-origin pilot killed in helicopter crash hours after wedding in US

Hours after celebrating wedding with family and friends, an Indian-origin groom was reportedly killed in a helicopter crash in Georgia, USA, while his bride survived with injuries after remaining trapped beneath the wreckage for several hours, according to local media reports.

As per reports, the victim, Dave Fiji (25), a resident of Atlanta and a pilot with Delta Air Lines, died when the five-seater Robinson helicopter crashed near Dawsonville in Dawson County on Friday night.

His wife, Jessni, survived the crash with injuries and remains under treatment at a nearby hospital. The helicopter pilot was also killed in the accident.

The couple had married earlier that day at The Revere, a wedding and events venue near Dawsonville, in the presence of hundreds of guests, family members reported.

According to reports, Fiji's parents, George and Pheba Fiji, originally hailed from Muvattupuzha in Kerala's Ernakulam district before emigrating to the United States. Jessni's family traces its roots to Kerala's Alappuzha district.

Family members said the newlyweds had planned to leave the wedding venue by helicopter and travel to Peachtree-DeKalb Airport before spending the night at a hotel in downtown Atlanta.

However, weather conditions reportedly deteriorated towards the end of the reception, with rain and fog significantly reducing visibility.

George Fiji told local media that his son, an experienced commercial pilot, had expressed concerns about flying in such weather conditions. He reportedly denied flying over visibility concerns.

Despite the warnings, the helicopter departed after the pilot reportedly decided to continue the journey by flying at a higher altitude.

The aircraft later crashed in a heavily wooded and mountainous area southwest of Dawsonville.

George Fiji reportedly said that Jessni remained trapped beneath wreckage and fallen trees for nearly five hours before rescue teams reached her.

According to him, she regained consciousness under the debris and discovered her husband was unresponsive.

The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, which is expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days.